Page 10 of Just Business
A quiet laugh from across the table made Justin look up. Eli’s smile lit up his whole face. “Well, that certainly was worth the hand delivery.” He sipped his latte.
Justin’s hands shook. Hell, his whole body vibrated. “How—I mean—”
“There are only six of us, Justin. Doesn’t take that long to make a decision.”
Justin pulled the letter out, got to the salary, and his mouth dried up. The offer was for far more than an assistant should receive. By several tens of thousands. That would solve—a whole host of problems. Bills. Debt. Mercy’s needs. Maybe allow him some cash to send to his folks.
“I do hope you’re worth every penny.”
His own words, thrown back. “Don’t you worry about that.” Justin shoved the letter into the envelope. “When are you expecting an answer?”
“I know your answer.” Eli leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. “We’d like the signed paperwork within a week.”
“That’s presumptuous.”
“Is it?” Eli stripped off his gloves, the leather stretching to reveal the flesh beneath.
Justin didn’t answer Eli. He wanted the job. They were handing him more money than such a position should pay. He placed the envelope on the table, wrapped both hands around his cup, and sipped, the sharp taste of the coffee clearing his mind and wetting his mouth. “Why me?”
The gloves hit the table. “Sam likes you. Engineering likes you.”
“But you don’t.”
Eli ran a finger around the rim of his mug. “Assumptions, Mr. White.”
Those words sank straight into his bones and tightened his balls. Whatwouldthose fingers feel like on his lips, in his mouth?Stop it.“You didn’t seem impressed.”
“You have potential. Untamed talent.” Eli picked up his cup. “I’m interested in seeing that harnessed.” There might have been a grin around that last word, but any expression vanished when Eli’s lips met the rim of his cup.
Harnessed. Justin stared at Eli’s gloves. He didn’t know whether to despise Eli or flirt with him. “Is there a dress code?”
“Other than requiring clothes? No.” Eli put his cup down. “Engineering tends to dress casual. You’ve seen how Sam and I dress.” He gave a light shrug. “You’ll be interacting with customers on occasion, but you’ll have warning.”
“So if I came to work dressed like this”—Justin gestured at himself—“you wouldn’t throw me out?”
Eli smiled and there was warmth to it, enough that Justin’s own cheeks heated in response. “I prefer the suit on you, but no, I wouldn’t throw you out. Sam wouldn’t blink, either.”
He preferred...Shit.Not what Justin wanted to hear.I am so not having fantasies about this man.He took a breath. “Thank you. I need to read this fully. I’ll let you know in a day or two.”
“Of course.” He glanced over at Brian. “I’m guessing your current employer knows you’ve been interviewing?”
Behind the counter, Brian was trying very hard to look like he wasn’t listening to every word. “Yeah. He knows.”
Eli finished his coffee and stood. “Let us know when you can start.” He picked up his gloves and grabbed his cane. “I look forward to working with you, Justin.”
Hearing his name from Eli again drove the air from his lungs. The memory of his orgasm and why he’d come so fast sent a tremor through him. “Can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.” Eli’s grin was sharp. Wicked.Sexy. He turned and headed toward the door.
Well, shit.He had a job. And another raging boner for Eli. Justin drank his coffee. Turned on by a control freak. Not good, if his past was anything to go by.
Working for Sam Anderson might be more difficult than he thought. He touched the white envelope. For what they were offering, he damn well would excel at this job, Eli or no Eli.
Chapter Three
A week and a half after he’d handed Justin the offer letter, Eli let Justin, backpack and bike helmet in hand, into the office as an employee. The eyeliner was back, highlighting his intense blue eyes, along with black jeans and a dark blue t-shirt, a toned-down version of his Grounds N’at outfits. Justin had added a black cord tight around his neck as an accent.
Leather, from the looks of it. How hard would it be to tuck a finger under that andyank? Eli let his gaze linger as Justin shifted from foot to foot.
